1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Expectations: What would demonstrate improvement for you?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Rocket River, Jul 1, 2006.

Tags:
  1. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 1999
    Messages:
    65,241
    Likes Received:
    32,948
    This is not about the rockets trades to be made
    this is not about draft picks

    This is not even about evaluating the team
    as it stands or as you think it may stand at the beginning
    of the season

    What are you expectations of the Rockets
    that will make you say . . WE IMPROVED!

    53 wins and a 1st round playoff exit will not do it for me
    It will be a lateral moves at best

    We could have won 53 this year barring injuries
    so
    53 wins. . .doesn't mean improvement over this year
    esp since they been leaning on the reason this year was a bust
    was injuries [please don't quote number of games missed
    considering our star took the last 20 off. . so he *could* have
    played but chose not too ]

    So
    Next season with our 2 stars 100% . . 50~53 games was
    the minimal expectations
    Additions and subtractions should have improve beyond that

    What do the Rockets need to do this year to Make you feel they have significantly improved?

    Rocket River
    another 1st round exit is another 1st round exit
     
  2. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 1999
    Messages:
    129,141
    Likes Received:
    39,639
    55+ wins and at LEAST a 2nd round run...but I think with the new Yao and Tmac healthy we could win it all.

    DD
     
  3. Storm Surge

    Storm Surge Rookie

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2006
    Messages:
    3,574
    Likes Received:
    0
    I'm expecting 50+ wins, and a 2nd round. Just cancel out last year, the year before we won 51 and went to 7 games.
     
  4. opticon

    opticon Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2006
    Messages:
    2,543
    Likes Received:
    1,277
    If we make it to the wcf win or loose i will be happy. The suns had less talent this year then our team does when it is fully healthy and they made it to the wcf.
     
  5. smoothie

    smoothie Jabari Jungle

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2001
    Messages:
    20,716
    Likes Received:
    6,947
    we won 52 games with:

    yao-deke
    jho-padgett-spoon
    tmac-bowen
    wesley-barry
    sura-james

    if we go into the new season with:

    yao-deke
    Jho-hayes
    shane-novak
    tmac-head
    james-alston

    52 should be the worst case senario. yao is better, the team has better perimeter D, better shooting, faster legs, more versitility. there is still a TE which can bring in help at the 4.

    i think i'd be happy with at least 55 wins and second round. we have to rove that we are up there is the suns, mavs, and spurs. i think we can be NEXT SEASON.
     
  6. ClutchCityReturns

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2005
    Messages:
    13,427
    Likes Received:
    2,666
    I consider a 2nd round WIN to be par for the course, and improvement would mean taking the WCF to at least 6 games. If last year's injuries didn't cripple us so much, you would have expected to make it to the second round, so in essence I'm just asking for one round of improvement per year. I don't think that's crazy.

    Of course, going by that logic, I expect a title in 2008-2009.
     
  7. ClutchCityReturns

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2005
    Messages:
    13,427
    Likes Received:
    2,666
    It's a technicality, but we won 51 games with that squad.

    :)
     
  8. Deckard

    Deckard Blade Runner
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2002
    Messages:
    57,789
    Likes Received:
    41,223
    If our two stars stay healthy for the entire season, I'll be happy with the record they produce.
     
  9. Yetti

    Yetti Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,589
    Likes Received:
    529
    Rocket River only 60wins will tell me that we have arrived and reaching the WC finals. Anything less means we have failed, or that Tracy Mc Gradys back has been a big problem,or that the Rockets Management did a poor job of getting
    the players to bring us to this lofty height.Y
     
  10. whag00

    whag00 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2003
    Messages:
    5,615
    Likes Received:
    3,597
    I agree. If the the big 2 stay healthy everything else will take care of itself.
     
  11. RNuss02

    RNuss02 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2002
    Messages:
    394
    Likes Received:
    3
    I was about to say the same thing. If our two stars prove they can carry this team the entire season, healthy, then I think the rest will fall into place, but that's a big IF. Really, that's all I want to see. We haven't really gotten a great opportunity to see what these guys can do together for an extended period of time, so if they can remain on the court, playing up to their abilities, the rest of the team will fall into place and good things will occur.
     
  12. htownbball

    htownbball Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2006
    Messages:
    1,608
    Likes Received:
    629
    i hope sura can come back healthy and 100%. he could come in as a backup PG when james is in so james wont have to be the ballhog PG.
     
  13. richirich

    richirich Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2003
    Messages:
    1,429
    Likes Received:
    1
    Offensive schemes and flow that don't look like something from the Special Olympics....

    3P shots that go in. Rafer's assists going up because other players hit shots.

    When someone forearms Tracy in the face on a drive to the basket, or steps on Yao's toes on purpose, a felony is committed a few minutes later, so neither of those things ever happen again.

    Juwan Howard not playing more than 18 mpg, hopefully less.

    Chuck Hayes doing everything he does so well and then hitting some 8-10 foot jumpers or hooks.

    Ryan Bowen distributing Gatorade, towels and warmups to the real players.

    Battier watching out for Yao's back and helping to minimize JHo no-defense induced fouls on the big guy. Ditto for MJ reducing the Rafer blowby induced fouls on Yao.

    Passing IQ improved.

    Van Gundy proving he can coach offense and focusing on it.
     
  14. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 1999
    Messages:
    65,241
    Likes Received:
    32,948

    So
    basically. . Yao and T-mac staying healthy shoulds incremental improvement

    Basically . . . the rockets management can do no wrong in your eyes
    the only improvement is on T-mac and Yao

    interesting to say the least

    Rocket River
    lllooooowwwweeeerrrreeeedddd eeexxxppppeeecctttaaatttiiioooonnnnsss
     
  15. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 1999
    Messages:
    65,241
    Likes Received:
    32,948

    So that happens
    we win 50 games and we lose in 6 games in the 1st round
    you considered that improvement?

    I'm looking for concrete benchmarks

    Rocket River
     
  16. Yetti

    Yetti Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,589
    Likes Received:
    529
    Bobby Sura's Basketball Career is DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  17. H-Dub

    H-Dub Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2006
    Messages:
    454
    Likes Received:
    0
    Agreed i expect them to at least compete in the second round and border line should win! Though it wouldnt shock me if Mac is holding up the Finals Mvp after next season!
     
  18. Omer

    Omer Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2006
    Messages:
    3,933
    Likes Received:
    56
    We should all expect at least around 55 wins and a WCF appearance at the least. We have TRACY MCGRADY AND YAO MING. With Battier, he should be able to knock down the open looks, and Mike James is the perfect energy player and 3rd scoring option.

    Given everyone stays completely healthy next season, we have a HELL of a team that is a contender. I expect nothing less than a WCF appearance.
     
  19. GATER

    GATER Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2000
    Messages:
    8,325
    Likes Received:
    78
    I'd like to echo those sentiments...but unfortunately...I can't.

    With the Battier trade Van Gundy has mortgaged the Rockets' future with a "Win-now" policy. While I truly hope the whole team stays healthy, anything less than a 2nd round appearance is unacceptable. No excuses...no injuries, no officiating, nada...2nd round or else. You've got lots of friends at ESPN Jeff...you shouldn't be out of work long.

    IOW, we were a playoff team with Gay or Battier...if Battier didn't get you into the 2nd round, the trade was pointless because Gay's start point is close to Battier's ceiling. And Shane is at his ceiling now. Next season, the differential diminishes.
     
    #19 GATER, Jul 1, 2006
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2006
  20. airmanz

    airmanz Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
    Messages:
    145
    Likes Received:
    0
    We definitely need more depth to really step up.

     

Share This Page